[NU Sports] hank must go?

[SjT (Stephen J. Truog)]

I agree with Jim and Mike ...

On the question of firing Hank, the answer is a solid NO. He has done much more positive overall than any DC we've had since Vandy. And while that last drive wasn't his finest hour, Army is one of those offenses that is tough to prepare for and we held them to 21 points. I think our kids could have been a little better prepared and more adjustments ... but I really think after some early dings and bruises, we were extra-conscious of those legal-but-still-cheap low blocks at the knees on the edges (kind of like the Air Force gams) and it got in our head.

I have more ire at McCall -- 14 points on Army's D??? We need to find out how to sustain a drive - our play calling was all over the map. There was one possession in the 3rd where we took three straight deep shots down the field. Go ahead and take 1 to stretch the D, but when you're chucking it 20+ yards three straight plays with a QB who, despite many strengths, doesn't throw the greatest deep ball ... well, then you're just handing it back to Army's O and giving our D no rest. The O looked fine until they put a spy on Kain - then, once again, we didn't make any adjustment except chucking it deep more and hoping Jeremy Ebert makes another amazing catch. And Jim's right about before the half as well - clock management by the O!

So like I said, I'm pointing fingers at the coaches here -- poor preparation and lack of adjustments. But I certainly don't want Hank gone and more of that ire is at McCall for only 14 points.

As for going all doom and gloom, I think we're overreacting a bit there. This is NOT the Miami loss of 1995 (though I wouldn't mind if it worked out like that one afterwards) ... it's not as bad as losses between against Syracuse, Duke, New Hampshire or others.

We started the year 2-1. Like I said, I hoped those days were over, but considering our best player is out and 2 of the 3 were on the road, 2-1 isn't sky-is-falling bad. Disappointing? Yes. But not clean-house bad. As we've been over many times - NU is not the type of team that can come out and win the creampuffs on name alone -- we can beat just about anyone when we're on and lose to just about anyone when we're off. Yesterday was uninspired by the players and featured poor planning/adjustments from the coaches -- add that to an Army team that will play hard on every snap and wanted it more at home and you get the recipe for a September loss.

We've got a week off to get Persa healthy and get ready for Illinois, who will probably be 4-0 and in the top 25. If they can't use two weeks to prepare better, get the team motivated for a rival who smacked them around last year AND come up with better in-game adjustments, THEN we can talk about a coach's future.

This one stings, but let's not overreact either.

GO CATS!!!
-SjT

 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
STEPHEN J. TRUOG
sjtruog at yahoo.com
GO CATS!!! GEAUX SAINTS!!!
Super Bowl XLIV Champions!
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From: Jim Leonard <jleonard518 at yahoo.com>
To: Northwestern Wildcats <nwu-sports at tssi.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 7:58 AM
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] hank must go?

I agree with Mike. Our spread offense should be productive enough to win any game where the defense holds an opponent to 21 points. I was frustrated that we didn't have a better attack on defense but that did not cost us the game.

Who decided after BC and EIU that Kain should throw 20+ yards downfield 6-7? 
Where was Mike Trumpy in the first quarter? 

I realize that I am saying this as a fan and not a coach but I thought we should have tried one quick shot to the end zone before the half (when we attempted a field goal). I'm pretty sure we could have gotten a play off in 4 seconds and still had 1-2 ticks on the clock for the field goal if the pass was incomplete. 

Jim 


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From: Mike Nolan <nolan at tssi.com>
To: bwdolphin146 at yahoo.com
Cc: "nwu-sports at tssi.com" <nwu-sports at tssi.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 18, 2011 2:51 AM
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] hank must go?

> We ready for that yet? Hank Cheese? Thoughts? (I lean towards yes)

Thankfully, fans don't make that kind of decision.  

Army was #2 in rushing offense for a reason.  

I was less impressed with the offensive game plan than the
defensive one.  We will need to be able to score more than 14
points in a game if we want to make it to a bowl game.

Let's hope that Persa is ready for Illinois in two weeks, their 
rushing game may not be easy to stop, either.  
--
Mike Nolan

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